Last minute call: A poster seller tries his luck at the former location of the Guns N' Roses concert in Lapangan D Senayan, South Jakarta on Saturday. The white banner on the gate states that the concert will be held Sunday in Ancol. (Antara/Pey Hardi Subiantoro)

Guns N' Roses had to postpone their concert on Saturday in Jarkarta, Indonesia following rain damage to the original venue.

The band moved the concert to Mata Elang International Stadium (MEIS) in Ancol, North Jakarta, an indoor arena, on Sunday. A downpour on Friday had damaged the stage at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, South Jakarta.

According to statements given to The Jarkarta Post: "The band's management couldn't risk the band's safety and therefore asked the promoter to move the venue to an indoor arena instead. The promoter has agreed to move the venue to MEIS. Negotiations are in progress."

Article continues below...

However, the police said that the concert was delayed to inclement weather: "It's about the security of the concert goers," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said on Saturday.

"Since it's an outdoor venue, we consider the rainy weather, including the threat of lightning."

The promoter of the Guns N' Roses (GN'R) concert in Jakarta, Indika Productions, postponed the show only hours before it was due to start, causing fury among concert goers who had already arrived at the venue.

The promoter said on Saturday afternoon that it postponed the concert following rain damage to the original venue, Gelora Bung Karno complex in South Jakarta, and feared the same issue might occur during the show.

"We request your patience and understanding and we apologize for the inconvenience," Indika Productions official, Praditya Sutrisno, told fans at the venue on Saturday.

"However, we welcome those who would like a refund. If there is not enough time [to do it] today, we request your cooperation to proceed on Monday," he added.

Indika announced that the concert was rescheduled for Sunday and moved the venue to the Mata Elang International Stadium (MEIS) in Ancol in North Jakarta.

"You may need to pay an additional fee to enter the Ancol compound but the show will be better than never," Praditya said.

Many of the fans questioned what the promoter had done to compensate them, especially out-of-towners.

According to a source, who declined to be named: "The band's management couldn't risk the band's safety and therefore asked the promoter to move the venue to an indoor arena instead. The promoter has agreed to move the venue to MEIS. Negotiations are in progress."

Hundreds of people were still waiting for clarity from the committee as of 7.00pm on Saturday. Some have yet to decide whether they would still attend the concert which took place a day later with a 1.00pm start in order for Guns N' Roses enough time to catch their original intended flights out of the country.

Tion, 30, a resident of Surabaya, East Java, said he was really disappointed by the postponement: "The announcement is not clear," he said. "Even if I could get a plane ticket back to Surabaya tomorrow, how can I be sure that the concert would start on time?"

Although some are confused, Hadi, from Cirebon, West Java, said he would still enjoy the show.

"I came here with my son and brother," he said. "I have been waiting for this since 1991, I cannot miss it." He did add that he was disappointed.

The Jakarta Police also commented on the concert delay, saying that it was due to inclement weather.

"It's about the security of the fans," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said on Saturday.

"As it is an outdoor venue, we must consider the weather and the threat of lightning." (fzm)

The concert was attended by the Governor of Jarkarta, Joko 'Jokowi' Widodod who is a big rock fan himself. During the concert guitarist Bumblefoot thrilled fans by playing the National anthem 'Indonesia Raya'.